Social play in the South American punare (Thrichomys apereoides) : a test of play function hypotheses

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Abstract

The role of social play in juvenile behavioral
development was examined in the punare (Thrichomys
apereoides). Three proposed functions of social play were
evaluated: 1. play serves to develop agonistic skills, 2.
play has a role in the onset of weaning and 3. play
establishes dominance relationships among participants.

Eight litters consisting of three juveniles and both
parents were observed from birth until eight weeks of age,
and the content, sequence and duration of parental and play
behaviors were recorded. Adult agonism was characterized in
paired encounters between. unfamiliar adults. Encounters
between unfamiliar juvenile dyads were conducted and
compared to litter mate play.

Sex specific differences in social play were concordant
with observed differences in adult agonistic interactions.
Play bouts between male juveniles were more frequent, of
greater duration and incorporated more dominance
reinforcement behaviors than bouts between females. Mothers
tended to avoid playing with offspring, while paternal play
was frequent. Self-handicapping was observed during father-daughter play. Dominance relationships were evident during
play, with strong, stable hierarchies established among male
juveniles. Adult males dominated all offspring and juvenile
males dominated female littermates. Unfamiliar juvenile play bouts were shorter in duration and more frequently
resulted in avoidance than bouts among litter mates.

These results suggest that punare social play functions
to develop agonistic skills while concurrently establishing
dominance relationships. The early establishment of
dominance relationships may serve as a non-injurous means of
precipitating male-biased post-weaning dispersal.